Analysis of PM10 high concentration episodes in Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw in the years 2005–2017 with application of selected elements of information systems

The analysis and comparison of the situations of episodes of high PM10 concentrations in the air in three selected Polish agglomerations: Krakow, Warsaw and Wroclaw in the years 2005-2017 with application of selected elements of information systems (IT) is provided. The role of information systems (technologies) in high pollution episodes in the considered cities is described and the results of measurements performed under the State Environmental Monitoring as well as meteorological data and the dust concentration modelling results were used for the analysis. A set of indicators and methodology was developed to compare the occurrence of episodes in the area of selected cities

Analysis of PM10 high concentration episodes in Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw in the years 2005–2017 with application of selected elements of information systems

The analysis and comparison of the situations of episodes of high PM10 concentrations in the air in three selected Polish agglomerations: Krakow, Warsaw and Wroclaw in the years 2005-2017 with application of selected elements of information systems (IT) is provided. The role of information systems (technologies) in high pollution episodes in the considered cities is described and the results of measurements performed under the State Environmental Monitoring as well as meteorological data and the dust concentration modelling results were used for the analysis. A set of indicators and methodology was developed to compare the occurrence of episodes in the area of selected cities

Characteristics of temporal variability of urban ecosystem-atmosphere CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes

Understanding the origin and mechanisms controlling GHGs (CO2, CH4 and N2O) emission spatially and temporally is critical for evaluating future climate changes. Whether the controls on GHG dynamics in urban ecosystem are similar to those in natural ecosystems are not fully understood. In the current study, the aboveground (cover vegetation + soil) and soil (including autotrophic and heterotrophic) CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes and respective carbon stable isotopic composition (δ13C) of respired CO2 at natural abundance level were simultaneously measured from a re-established grassland in the urban area of central Germany. The static chamber system (combination of transparent and opaque modes) was applied to assess the effects of intensive vegetation growth during two weeks of April 2017. The values of CO2 fluxes obtained with both transparent and opaque chambers differed significantly due to the combined effects of the incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on vegetation and belowground processes. The average value of measured CO2 flux with opaque chambers was 9.14 ± 1.9 (mg m-2 min-1) vs. 2.37 ± 0.9 (mg m-2 min-1) with transparent chambers for the re-established grassland. In contrast, soil CH4, as well as N2O fluxes were not different significantly for both opaque-transparent chamber measurements. Current magnitude provides the pattern of the urban ecosystem source/ sinks potential during ambient light conditions

Characteristics of temporal variability of urban ecosystem-atmosphere CO

Understanding the origin and mechanisms controlling GHGs (CO2, CH4 and N2O) emission spatially and temporally is critical for evaluating future climate changes. Whether the controls on GHG dynamics in urban ecosystem are similar to those in natural ecosystems are not fully understood. In the current study, the aboveground (cover vegetation + soil) and soil (including autotrophic and heterotrophic) CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes and respective carbon stable isotopic composition (δ13C) of respired CO2 at natural abundance level were simultaneously measured from a re-established grassland in the urban area of central Germany. The static chamber system (combination of transparent and opaque modes) was applied to assess the effects of intensive vegetation growth during two weeks of April 2017. The values of CO2 fluxes obtained with both transparent and opaque chambers differed significantly due to the combined effects of the incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature on vegetation and belowground processes. The average value of measured CO2 flux with opaque chambers was 9.14 ± 1.9 (mg m-2 min-1) vs. 2.37 ± 0.9 (mg m-2 min-1) with transparent chambers for the re-established grassland. In contrast, soil CH4, as well as N2O fluxes were not different significantly for both opaque-transparent chamber measurements. Current magnitude provides the pattern of the urban ecosystem source/ sinks potential during ambient light conditions

Analysis of exposure of inhabitants of Polish cities to air pollution with particulate matters with application of statistical and geostatistical tools

The aim of this research was the analysis of air quality in selected Polish cities in 2008-2018 combined with health assessment based on the methodology and software of World Health Organization (AirQ +) as well as an analysis of main directions of activities aimed at improving air quality in Polish cities. The results of calculations and spatial analysis of exposure indicate the year 2010 as the one with the highest concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, as well as Małopolskie and Śląskie Voivodships (agglomerations: Upper Silesia, Krakow and Rybnik-Jastrzębska) as the two most threatened by negative impact on human life and health. In a detailed analysis of the Wrocław agglomeration, for 2017, the estimated number of deaths of adults caused by short-term exposure to PM2.5 with a limiting concentration above 10 μg/m3 (in accordance with WHO guidelines on air quality) was over 130 people, and the estimated number of patients hospitalized because of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases due to the above exposure was 160 and 80 cases, respectively. The analysis showed more than 80 cases of asthma attacks in children with asthma caused by short-term exposure and three death cases in infants due to long-term exposure to PM10

Exposure of urban agglomeration population to the selected components of PM1 emitted from low emission sources

The sources of gaseous and particulate (PM) pollutants in Polish cities are mainly: municipal sector, industry, emissions from the road transport and the upstream emission (pollution “flowing” to the cities, derived from emission sources located outside of cities). The residents of the cities are mainly exposed to air pollutants from low-emission sources (i.e. municipal sector and road traffic). In the paper, the results of the study from field campaign, conducted in January of 2016 in Wroclaw will be presented. During the field campaign the 24-h concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM1) and 24-h concentrations of selected PM1-bound heavy metals were determined. The cancer risk associated with inhalation exposure to arsenic, nickel, and cadmium to the city’s residents, based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards methodology including the so-called lifelong chronic exposure of adult and child, was calculated. Measurements results showed that in Wroclaw during the winter season in 2016 the 24-h concentrations of PM1-bound arsenic, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.51 to 4.26 ng/m3, 0.21–52.89 ng/m3 and 0.08–1.01 ng/m3, respectively. Obtained calculations results of cancer risk values for inhalation exposure to arsenic were: for men: 6.11·10−6, women: 7.30·10−6, children: 14.90·10−6, to nickel: for men: 1.91·10−6, women: 2.29·10−6, children: 4.67·10−6, to cadmium: for men: 0.37·10−6, women: 0.44·10−6, children: 0.91·10−6. The values obtained for inhalation exposure among children indicated the high potential risk of cancer, mainly for arsenic exposure

Application of field inspections and odour observation diaries in the assessment of air quality and odour in urban areas

The choice of an odour nuisance assessment method depends on many factors, such as: the type and quantity of objects, the diversity and type of odour sources, the location of the object, the social situation and the number of complaints about odor nuisance, the type and physico-chemical parameters of the emitted gases and the conditions of dispersion of pollutants in the air. In most cases, in order to fully assess the situation and take integrated actions to reduce odour nuisance, both an instrumental/sensory analysis and a sociological research method should be used simultaneously. Such an approach enables researchers to get a real picture of the problem and develop the optimal and necessary minimization of odour impact solutions. The work presents the results of field and sociological research aimed at identifying odour sources and odour nuisance in a selected urban area located in the southern part of Poland. The studied area is complex in terms of the type and amount of odour emission sources, hence the use of several methods in the assessment of air quality was justified. The conducted research allowed the identification of emission sources and the extent of their impact on the area of the examined city and community

Exposure of urban agglomeration population to the selected components of PM

The sources of gaseous and particulate (PM) pollutants in Polish cities are mainly: municipal sector, industry, emissions from the road transport and the upstream emission (pollution “flowing” to the cities, derived from emission sources located outside of cities). The residents of the cities are mainly exposed to air pollutants from low-emission sources (i.e. municipal sector and road traffic). In the paper, the results of the study from field campaign, conducted in January of 2016 in Wroclaw will be presented. During the field campaign the 24-h concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM1) and 24-h concentrations of selected PM1-bound heavy metals were determined. The cancer risk associated with inhalation exposure to arsenic, nickel, and cadmium to the city’s residents, based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards methodology including the so-called lifelong chronic exposure of adult and child, was calculated. Measurements results showed that in Wroclaw during the winter season in 2016 the 24-h concentrations of PM1-bound arsenic, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.51 to 4.26 ng/m3, 0.21–52.89 ng/m3 and 0.08–1.01 ng/m3, respectively. Obtained calculations results of cancer risk values for inhalation exposure to arsenic were: for men: 6.11·10−6, women: 7.30·10−6, children: 14.90·10−6, to nickel: for men: 1.91·10−6, women: 2.29·10−6, children: 4.67·10−6, to cadmium: for men: 0.37·10−6, women: 0.44·10−6, children: 0.91·10−6. The values obtained for inhalation exposure among children indicated the high potential risk of cancer, mainly for arsenic exposure